AN: ... Hides away from the eyes of the public. I think I'm just going to post this here...

In all seriousness, I am truly sorry for the delay. There is no one else to blame except myself. I know that none of you want to even start to hear my excuses, so I will spare your time. Please, I just beg for your forgiveness. I know that you have all waited for nearly a year and a half for this update, "but just take this out on me, be mad at me. Just don't hurt the story." (Hiccup in case you couldn't remember that.)

I give you:

A Fury's Tribulation

A Fury's Deception

There are many different ways to interpret the world around us. One can see the way of one species, another species, or all of them. You can overlook the world as if not even there, simply as a picture on the wall. The world is everyone's to look at however they choose. I've heard the ones around me ask about what if walls could speak. If they could, the world would simply be madness.

There isn't a soul out there that isn't talked about by one or another. Whether you're a human or a dragon, there is still such a thing as talking behind one's back. If the ones around us knew what we said about them, then they would no longer associate with us. People feel confident in their words when they know that no harm can come from them. The problem with the situation is when they do find out.

There was a quote that I once heard, within that quote, it which said to see behind walls. But I'm not so sure that is for the best. If you see behind the barriers that people choose to place between you, then you're bound to hear more than you are in for. You're going to see what others hide from you.

Unfortunately for some of us, it's unavoidable.

I pressed close against Hiccup, pulling him close with my wing. He was using his paw to cover his eyes, trying to hide his face of agony. I could feel for the Night Fury; he never asked for this, he never asked to find out what his fellow tribe members truly thought of him, or how they thought about the dragons that they killed. He simply wanted to live life to its fullest extent; he wanted to be appreciated for his mind, not ridiculed for his flaws.

Humans, as I have been told, are a species of greedy, materialistic beings that selfish beyond belief. If one trips and falls in the rain, is another going to go and help him to his feet? Absolutely not, why would they risk getting wet or mud on their boots? Dragons might not be a perfect species by any means, but we do look out for each other. There was a reason that I didn't kill Hiccup back in the cove; there is a reason I didn't let him freeze to death; there is a reason I didn't tear him limb from limb when he got us captured. It's called compassion, something these demented freaks are incapable of feeling.

Dragons see the world for themselves, but they also see for others. If one dragon is in a fight with another, they think about the outcome, they think about what will happen to the adversary. We think about what will come to the dragon before us. Is it their fault for what happened? Did they do anything to deserve this? Then why are we fighting? The mortals themselves always gave us plenty of an excuse to let loose our fire, there was really no reason to take it out on ourselves.

Treat others the way you would like to be treated. It's very simple, if you are going to be the one who goes around taking what's not yours, damaging the ones around you, then you should expect that in return. I've heard numerous times our species being referred to as mindless beasts, oh the hypocrisy.

I think it's slightly easier for a dragon like myself since we are not as materialistic as our mortal counterparts. We don't live to have millions of things to call our own; we don't live to have a currency that puts a value on every tangible item. If another being has something you want, you leave him be and go find one for yourself. There's no need to try and steal from him or see what it would take for him to part with it. We only stole from the ones who tried to take our lives; the mortals were never ones to cooperate.

From the little that I have witnessed with the mortals, they seem to only be the selfish monsters that I had originally assumed of them. What I couldn't understand was how Hiccup ended up the way he had. How could he be so caring, so forgiving, and so loyal? As a dragon, I was proud to call him my friend; if he had started life as a Dark Sentry, there was no doubt in my mind that he would be favored upon. His ideas and his mind would bring him much farther in the dragon world than in the human realm. He wouldn't be ridiculed day in and day out for thinking outside of the box.

I could simply care less about what the humans thought about us. I knew that they were misunderstood, and I knew that they were misinformed. Hiccup, however, had a previous life with these people; he knew what their lifestyle was, he knew what they cared and did not care for. Apparently what one of the things he didn't know was how they truly felt about him.

"He was just a worthless scrawny lad who did nothing but cause trouble. Why is it that we need to risk our lives with these two mindless beasts for that insignificant nuisance?" There were several conversations spreading throughout the room in which I was told to be the 'Great Hall'.

Doesn't seem so great to me.

Hiccup looked up to me with saddened eyes. The hearing of each other's thoughts was still somewhat new to me. It was only on occasion that we would notice the other person thinking, usually when the thought was pronounced or elicited with emotion. Even so, it seemed to be happening more frequently as we spent more time with each other. I looked down at Hiccup in sorrow; his eyes were glassy as they reflected the room's dim light. He let out a deep sigh and rested his head once more. "I never used to see this place as dread and remorse. I used to come here to get away from everything that went on around the village. I could usually find a corner to hide in and no one would bother me….. I just never realized how much they talked about me when they knew I wasn't around."

A few men came beside the cage in which we resided and scowled brusquely. "I can't believe that Stoick wants to keep these hideous creatures in the Great Hall. It's a disgrace even keeping them alive as long as we have."

I gave the man as much of a hiss as I was able to just before his friend spoke up. "Well it's not like we can do anything about it. You know how it is, whatever the chief says goes, even if the chief is the one who brought us the biggest failure of a Viking this village has ever seen."

I growled lowly at the men as they walked away, the ignorant Vikings not knowing how powerful their words could be. I felt Hiccup shift slightly beneath my wing, trying to get as comfortable as possible. "Thirty-eight."

I crooned slightly as I looked back down to the dragon at my side. He had turned towards the back wall so he wouldn't have to face the Vikings who loathed him so much. He had been counting all the people who he didn't know disgraced him behind his back.

"This is all Hiccup's fault!"

I glanced over to the far side of the room where the voice had originated, only to turn back to Hiccup. || Thirty-nine? ||

Hiccup seemed to shrug slightly. "No, that was just Sven, he's always hated me. It was something about me setting fire to his sheep when I was little."

I tried to picture the image in my head, a bony little Viking messing about and a sheep getting knocked into a fire pit. Admittedly, it was a little comical. Hiccup turned around as soon as he heard me chortle, eyes livid. || What?! I'm sorry, but picturing that tiny human running around this village chasing after a flaming sheep with another larger Viking running around chasing the boy got to me. ||

After giving me a death stare for a short period of time, he rolled his eyes and started to laugh himself. "Well, I think it would have been fine if the sheep didn't end up leaping off of the cliff side attempting to put himself out. I had flaming, flying sheep in my dreams for weeks."

I smirked and rolled my eyes as well. || Did you ever find the sheep? ||

Hiccup tried to look away almost out of embarrassment. "Well, the whole ordeal happened in the middle of a dragon raid so halfway down the cliff side a Monstrous Nightmare grabbed sheep and flew away, still on fire of course…. I guess that's why I always dreamt the flaming sheep to be flying."

It took a few more seconds, but Hiccup and I burst out in unison, laughing as much as our muzzles would allow. Despite the situation that we were both in, it helped to have some comic relief. Even in times where all hope seems lost, finding the better perspective on things always helped.

It also made for a good time when we both turned around to see several men gawking at the odd noises that we were making. || We wouldn't sound so distorted if it weren't for these leather straps you tied around our snouts. ||

Obviously my language to them only came out as the growls and hisses that accompanied it. The men simply shrugged it off and went back to their daily lives, returning me to Hiccup who still held a massive grin as he tried to hide his laughter. He reduced his grin to a simple smile and nodded to me. "Thanks Toothless, we've only known each other a week and you already know how to keep my spirits up."

I shook my head and rolled my eyes, letting a short warble escape. || I also know how to strike fear into your veins. ||

I narrowed my eyes and lowered myself close to the cage floor. He sat up with a questionable face. "What are you doing? Ahhh-"

Just as he finished speaking I took the opportunity to pounce on him. I grabbed him within my claws and rolled over him and into the back side of the cage, letting out menacing growls in the process. I raised myself above him and pinned him to the floor, giving him no opportunities to escape from my wrath. Even with the restrictive muzzle, I was able to bare my razor sharp serrated teeth. Giving a deathly growl, I caused the unfortunate dragon beneath me to shrink down in fear. I breathed in through my teeth, giving the appearance that I was about to unleash fury down onto my friend.

But I didn't.

I turned my head towards the frozen crowd that had formed outside of our cage. I leapt from Hiccup's body and slammed into the side of the cage, successfully causing everyone nearby to frantically jump back out of fear, terrified.

I don't think they were expecting the dragon to fall to the bottom of the cage letting out distorted laughing sounds. I could sense that each one of the Vikings were staring at me in frustration. They figured that they should be the ones mocking us, not the other way around.

My joys of laughter soon came to a halt when a single tailfin abruptly came down upon my snout. "That's for scaring me."

This of course only added to my laughter, giving Hiccup a chance to roll his eyes and let out a few chuckles of his own. || I told you I could scare you. ||

Hiccup shook his head and grinned at me. "Yes, congratulations, you can successfully scare what used to be a ninety pound boy who spent the majority of his life running from his enemies and trying not to be afraid of everything that moved. Don't you feel accomplished?"

I came to rest upside down looking up at the oddly colored dragon. || It's always an accomplishment when I overpower someone. ||

The Night Fury simply scoffed and lay back down once again to get comfortable. I glanced over to the doorway in which the men had brought us in through. The sun was fading and night was beginning to take over.

I turned towards the Night Fury who was resting at my side. The enthusiasm seemed to have been lost from his facial expressions. He no longer was distracted by the surrounding Vikings or from my antics. His face morphed back into the depressed state that from which I couldn't seem to keep him from. || What's wrong now? ||

My tone was not of sarcasm or disrespect, more of caring and concern. He breathed out a long sigh and clenched his eyes shut, trying to keep the inevitable tears from falling from his eyes. "Toothless?"

I took a moment to respond, he seemed genuinely upset. It seemed almost ironic, the great fearsome Night Fury, broken down to the point of weeping. || Yes Hiccup? ||

He turned on his side, pressing into me, as if he were safe under my wing. "Are we going to get out of here? I mean, I'm not ready to die, especially by my father's hand. I don't want to spend the last of my days trapped in a cage waiting for my executioner to decide when to bring down the ax."

I scanned over the dragon; the emerald slashes that covered his body now seemed to be a dulled shade, as if reflecting his own emotions. I slowly lay down next to him and brought my wing around him. Not that I wanted to have to care for a young dragon, but Hiccup was becoming far more of a friend to me than I had ever expected, - I was willing to comfort him just as he would do for me. I brought my snout over and gently nudged Hiccup's own. He gradually peeled open his eyes and looked to me in despair. || Hiccup, I promise that we are going to get out of here. I will make sure that you don't spend your final days in fear… you have my word. ||

The dragon seemed to relax slightly, letting out a near silent croon that would be inaudible to the humans. After a long period of silence, Hiccup shuffled himself slightly, finally allowing himself to fall asleep. "Toothless, I just want to let you know how thankful I am to have you as a friend. I know that you probably wish that you could just go back to how things were before you met me, but I want you to know that if it were up to me, I wouldn't go back."

His statement caught me off-guard. Leaving me questioning whether or not if I felt the same. So… did I? Would I really go back to how things were if I had the chance? It was definitely something to consider, but would it be worth it? My life before was nothing to brag about. I had to watch as dragons every day died for something that they believed loved them. The only benefit would be that I could still fly and I wouldn't be trapped in a cage. For some reason though, it just didn't seem like enough. Hiccup had shown me true friendship, something that was so rare in the world that we lived in. I couldn't help feeling like if I were to go back to how things were, I would miss that care and affection that Hiccup had shown me. No… I know I would miss it; I would crave it.

|| If it were up to me, I would be at your side, shielding you from the Vikings who despise us so much. ||

And once again, I felt the Night Fury under my wing relax, as if the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders.

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Time seemed to drag out as I continued to stare at the back wall. I was still nervous about what was to come. I didn't know if Toothless would truly be there for me, or if he would simply run off the first chance he had.

I knew that the Night Fury cared; he emanated emotion, but was it enough? Toothless had proven to me that he wouldn't stab me in the back; I knew that he was concerned for me just as I was for him, I could somehow feel it deep inside my chest.

But what did I know?

From what I could tell, I knew as little about dragons as what I thought I knew about humans. It had been proven to me time and time again over the past several hours that what I thought about my village, everything I knew, was wrong. Even the people who I had assumed were relatively friendly to me were announcing how much of a mistake I was.

Toothless seemed to shuffle slightly at my side. I was trying to seem like I was asleep. I didn't want him worrying too much, - I didn't know what he would do. I kept telling myself that he was a friend, which he was there for me. As much as it seemed to be true, I just didn't know if I could believe it or not.

Before Toothless, I had no idea that dragons could be so intelligent. Were all dragons this complex? Were some even smarter?

I kept imagining that if by some miracle that we were to escape, what would I do? Where would I go?

Even if Toothless were to stick with me, which I could only pray that he would, what would we do? He mentioned something about being able to repair our tails so that we might be able to fly, but would I even be able to figure it out?

I sincerely doubted that I as a dragon would be able to fly. I was born a human, destined to be earthbound. There was a reason I was born a human instead a dragon, I just wasn't sure of the reason. I wanted to believe that the gods somehow felt that I had a purpose with the dragons, as if I were a dragon because they needed me to be.

It was probably just dumb luck. At least I considered myself lucky by that point, rather than mourning the stupidity of fate which had brought me to my current situation.

I rolled my eyes and snorted quietly, frustrated with myself. Even if I was destined for something more, what was I doing locked in a cage having to listen to how everyone I used to know hated me?

I desperately wanted to leave this place, go out and simply learn more about the life of a dragon. As far as I was concerned I didn't know the slightest about being a Night Fury. If I could at least learn about the dragon species, potentially figure out a way to communicate with the humans, maybe I could be some help, maybe there would be a way to minimize casualties among the Vikings.

But why should I help the Vikings in the first place? I let out a shaken sigh. Why should I help the ones who could care less for me in the first place? All they would ever do was laugh at my mistakes and ridicule me for simply being around.

It wasn't easy... as much as I hated to think about it, the Vikings were never there for me, they were never even kind or caring. If I was completely honest with myself, it hurt. I had already known that the general consensus about me was unfavorable, but was I really that bad? From what I could hear from the surrounding crowds, they felt thrilled that I was gone. For them, it was a miracle. They would never have to know what it was like to be led by a failure. I guess I would never have to find out what leading a group of violent Vikings who hated you was like, either.

For me, it was almost heartbreaking.
All the people that I grew up with, all the people that I spent my day to day life with, all the people that I had once assumed to be friends, simply disgraced me.

It was a terrible feeling. I not only felt deceived, but also betrayed. I couldn't believe how just one day of seeing the true sides of the people who I thought I knew would change my view on them so much.

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The Night Fury.

It was all that consumed my thoughts. Ever since we returned with the beasts in chains, I couldn't stop thinking about the way that the dragon had looked at me. Looked to me.

It wasn't the typical way for any being to look to another, it was more of a silent cry for help rather than the deadly growl that I so wished it to be. If the dragon would have just lashed out at me, if it would have just given me a hint of the hatred that I knew it must have possessed; I would have reason to slit its throat.

But no, of course it wouldn't. Even as we made eye contact in the Great Hall, the deadly beast gave me the look of hope and faith, as if I were the answer to its problems. But why me? Why would it single me out amongst the crowd? Why would it look to me who was standing at the opposite side of the room, rather than the Vikings that were just a few feet from its cage?

I threw my mug across the room, the mead fueling the fire before me in a quick burst. The stein shattered into pieces as it slammed into the front door of my home.

"Oi, what seems to be the problem in there?"

Gobber…. I should have known that he would come over for a few glasses of mead. He pushed the door open, his face dimly lit by the moonlight. I wasn't in the mood to talk; even though he would be the one person to listen, I couldn't share my thoughts... wouldn't.

He politely made his way into the room, eyeing me carefully along the way. Once across the fire from me he looked down and sighed. "Look Stoick, I'm sorry."

Sorry, for what?

He sat down on the bench and shook his mead-filled mug hand, it somehow not seeming appetizing to him anymore. "I know what happened to you must be unbearable. I couldn't imagine having to go through what you are right now, but…." He paused for a moment, trying to build up the strength to say what was on his mind.

"But what?" My voice was ragged and hoarse, as if without nourishment for days on end. He looked up from his mug and straight into my eyes. "You seem to have other things on your mind."

Oh, because having my one and only son die is not enough? I'm too much of a selfish bastard that I would need something else to trouble me along with the death of my heir! I scoffed at the man and shook my head. "Hiccup was the runt of the tribe, everyone hated him; they hated me for bringing him into this world. Even I would occasionally question if it was worth it to keep him around… So why is it that when he is gone, I want nothing more than to bring him back?"

The man seemed taken aback by my answer, having trouble finding a response. He sat quietly for a few moments before he seemed to come to a solution in his head. "It's not something I'm completely familiar with, but I know of its powers." The man paused, waiting for me to make eye contact. "It's called love, Stoick... it's the ability that one has to look past another person's flaws, only to find their strengths. It's the feeling of respect towards another being, enough to see the greatness that they hide away. It's the look in one's eyes, to see that they want nothing but good for you, even when you have treated them so wrong."

I thought back to the last set of eyes that I really concentrated on, the last emotion that I saw in them.

Love.

But how could it be? How could it have been love in the eyes in which were worn by a devil? I turned my attention back to the fire before me. The flames and the crackling of the wood seemed to dull my senses, lulling me in. I tried to imagine a scenario in which it was Hiccup who had looked at me with those eyes; I tried to imagine him giving me that look of pain, that look of pleading, the look of love.

I could see his eyes before me, but as the picture moved away to see the rest of the body, the Night Fury took his place. I shook my head and looked back up to Gobber. "To see that they want nothing but good for you, even when you have treated them so wrongly?"

The man eyed me carefully then nodded, a small smile creeping across his face. I had a hunch, and I was willing to bet that he knew it. The man knew me better than any other Viking of the Isle of Berk. He shook his head and rolled his eyes, both while drinking down the last of his beverage. "You better tell me what you got going on in that head of yours Stoick. It wouldn't take much for the rest of the village to think that you have gone crazy now."

I scoffed and raised myself to my feet. "I need to go speak with someone."

Gobber nodded approvingly and started to follow me out the door. "Great, I love going to wake people up at midnight for a casual drink and a chat."

I stopped as soon as my foot hit the ground outside of my home, turning back to face Gobber. "Uhh, Gobber, I think it might be best if you sit this one out. Nothing personal to you, it's just, well, personal… to me."

The man looked almost dejected as I started backing away into the village. "Fine, but next time I get to be the one to wake them up. I have many ideas on how to do so."

I rolled my eyes and turned away. For some reason I doubted that those ideas would work out for the two particular beings I had in mind. "Whatever you say, Gobber."

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Sleep was something that I rarely got much of. It was something that I truly loved: how rejuvenating, how calm and serene it was, it was great. But for some reason I could never fall into the deep state of rest. My mind was always active, never wanting to let go and wait for another day. I always had something on my mind that would keep me from the little bit of cherished sleep that I craved.

Tonight was no different.

No matter how much I tried, no matter how long I left my eyes closed, I couldn't fall asleep. The dragon on my side kept my mind racing, my worry for his wellbeing an endless cycle of unanswerable questions. I felt that it was my responsibility to keep Hiccup safe; I felt that if something were to happen to him then it would be my fault. I didn't want Hiccup to lose his life without having any knowledge about how to protect himself.

I now wished that I would have taught the Night Fury how to use his fire before, rather than contemplating on his trustworthiness. I would be less worried about his survival if he knew some basic flaming methods. Unfortunately we had no possible way for him to even attempt his fire while that thick leather wrapped around his snout.

I scanned the body that laid calmly at my side. At least someone can get some sleep. He was peaceful in his sleep, as if under the care and protection of someone that kept him safe….. I just wished I could be that person.

I sighed and turned away from the dragon, eyes wandering over to the entrance of the Great Hall. It wasn't long before someone opened the massive door and stepped inside. With the dim light that filled the room, it was difficult to make out the man's features, but he made his way closer and closer, I could see that it was the man that we faced in the cove. Hiccup's father.

The burly man cautiously walked up to the side of the cage, peering in to see Hiccup. I took the opportunity to cover the dragon with my wing, effectively removing him from the man's sight. I was surprised to see that he sighed, as if disappointed with my actions. I eyed him carefully, being wary of his every movement.

It bothered me that the man would come alone, and in the middle of the night. Does he want to kill us by himself, only to take all the glory for himself?

He looked up from the ground and into my eyes. I resisted the urge to growl; I didn't want to rouse Hiccup from his sleep, especially for him to see that his father was paying us a visit. It would not be something to help his current situation. I continued to simply stare down at the mortal, trying to figure out his motives.

After what seemed like ages, he sighed and turned to leave. I watched as he walked a few feet away then stopped, slumping his shoulders. He turned once more and marched back to face me once again. "Alright dragon, I need to ask you a few questions."

I cocked my head to the side and gave the man a look of confusion. I wasn't exactly sure how he going to fulfill his quest for information. He looked at me as if waiting for a response, as if asking for my permission.

To be honest, I was stumped. What was he thinking that he would gain from this? Two dragons in a cage weren't exactly a pit of answers for the mortals. Why couldn't he just go and talk with one of the other dragons that were chained down in his prison? The more I thought about it, the more I could care less to cooperate. He had been the cause for Hiccup's pain - why should he even have a chance to make it worse?

I slumped down next to Hiccup, bringing my lone tailfin around to shield my face from the chief. I could hear as the chief groaned, frustrated with my actions. I didn't care. I had heard enough from Hiccup to know that the man had already done enough damage.

I flinched as I heard the grinding of wooden feet being dragged across a stone floor. I lowered my tailfin and glared at the man who was now seated just outside of our cage. I rolled my eyes and groaned myself, raising my fin once more.

Apparently the man wasn't leaving anytime soon.

The room seemed to stay silent for just long enough for me to relax slightly. I had nearly fallen into the abyss of sleep when a thump on my wing brought me back to reality. I raised my head and growled lowly at the chief. He was truly testing my patience.

The man simply smiled smugly at me and waited for a response. I desperately wanted to break free and rip the man's face from his skull. I closed my eyes for a moment, attempting to banish the thought from my mind; it wasn't worth waking Hiccup. I glared back at the chief, letting him know that he had my attention. Whatever it is that you want, just get it over with.

The man smiled, showing his arrogance about him getting his way. "Look dragon, I don't know what you are, why you raid my village, or what you and your friend were doing on my island. All I want to know, is what did you do to my son?"

I still didn't know how what he expected me to do, just open my mouth and start speaking just as the voracious humans? I thought about the man's question, glancing down at Hiccup in the process. What did I do to your son?... I'm not really sure if I'm honest. I scanned the body next to me, it was difficult to imagine that the boy that the man was referring to and the Night Fury that was resting at my side were one and the same.

I looked back up to the chief, debating whether or not I should tell him. How would he react? What would he think? What would he do? I supposed that it was worth a shot. It was obvious that he still cared for his son, even if he never bothered to show it while the boy was a human.

But I couldn't help but question whether or not the man deserved to know. After everything he did, after everything that had said to his son, about him, did he deserve to know that he was still alive, still existing?

It wasn't my choice to make.

If Hiccup were awake he would have been desperately trying to convey that he was the boy the man was searching for, he was the man's son. I breathed a sigh, still angry with the man for robbing me of my precious sleep. I eyed the man carefully, making sure that I had his attention, making sure that he would understand. Once satisfied I used my own eyes to gesture to the dragon sleeping peacefully at my side.

The man seemed to question me for a moment, looking back and forth between me and his son. "Are you saying that he is the one who killed my son?"

I shook my head. No, that would be me….

I regained eye contact, making sure that I had his complete attention. His eyes were locked on mine, he needed to know. Using my tail as a more deliberate approach, I directed it straight at Hiccup then at the chief himself.

The chief still had a confused look on his face, trying to work out in his head what I was portraying. He looked down at the floor below him pointing back and forth between Hiccup and himself, repeating the motion.

He looked back up to me, his mind still muddled. "Are you trying to say that he is…. "

I nodded.

"Odin help us…."

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I awoke the next morning earlier than I would have liked. I seemed to never quite make it to sleep after conversing with the Night Fury. I couldn't get it out of my thoughts. Did he really want me to believe that Hiccup was a Night Fury?

I knew the beast was up to something; it was just some elaborate scheme to let me release him. While the dragon's theory seemed to be similar to what I had been thinking, I knew it wasn't true; it couldn't be. There was no possible way for a human to be trapped in a dragon's body. There was no way my boy could be something as horrific as a NightFury. But why did it have to be that Night Fury? Why couldn't he just have tried to save himself and told me that he was Hiccup?

From the time that we captured them the green scarred dragon had some sort of anomaly about him. I just couldn't place it. It seemed as if he were almost trying to protect us. He seemed as if he were on our side.

It was the other dragon though that made me come to my senses. The way he protected the other dragon made me realize that it couldn't be Hiccup. Why would a dragon protect a human that had turned dragon? It simply wasn't possible. It was more likely that the other dragon killed Hiccup but was able to take his eyes, take the little bit of appearance to make me think that he could potentially be my son. It was all a lie.

But now… I had to do something.

I now had half the village questioning whether or not I was capable of being chief, whether my judgment had been influenced. I had to do something; I had to ensure that my wisdom and intelligence would not be doubted.

I couldn't simply kill the beasts - the people would question why I wouldn't have just done that in the first place. I needed a reason as to why I kept them around, why I didn't slit their throats when I first had the chance. But what?

I opened the door from my home to see the desolate village. It was too early for anyone to be roaming around at this hour. The only ones who should be awake are those who were dozing in my watch towers. A lot of good they're doing right now.

I began to wander the village, my village, keeping an eye out for anyone or anything that would be a threat to my people. I couldn't stand to lose another person over my lack of attentiveness. Hiccup didn't deserve to die, he didn't deserve to have the world against him so much that he took it on alone.

It bothered me more than anything, as it should have I suppose. Why did it have to be Hiccup that went after a Night Fury? At least if another one of the teens were to come across a dragon they could potentially have a fighting chance.

It wasn't that I didn't have any confidence in Hiccup; he was truly gifted when it came to creating new and useful weaponry, something that I never told him. Any time he came up with something that was potentially beneficial to the Vikings I made sure to confiscate the item and all drawings associated with it. I was always so nervous that if he actually made something that worked it would be the death of him. Unfortunately, this seems to be the case.

I cared for my son, I knew that I loved him as my own, he just made all the wrong mistakes. It didn't matter that he didn't have the frame of a Viking, he just needed the soul, something which he clearly lacked.

Killing dragons was in our blood. It was what we did, what we did to survive. But when Hiccup tried himself, it was only beneficial for the beasts. As much as I wanted to see him succeed, I knew that killing the beasts was not his destiny.

I was kicking myself for putting my son down as if I were better. Like I have any room to gloat. I didn't even know what my destiny had in store for me. Of course I always aspired to be chief, to be the one that my village looked to in times of desperation. But for some reason, it just wasn't enough.

I knew that I couldn't have been placed in this world just to be there for my village. If that were the case I wouldn't have had a family, had a son. I knew that Hiccup was part of my destiny, I wouldn't have been gifted him from the gods if he weren't. Even Valka knew that Hiccup played a much more important role than I ever thought he would.

Did I fail my destiny?

I couldn't… wouldn't. I knew that Hiccup was still out there. I knew in my heart that some part of his soul was still raging on and that I had to protect it. There was no way that a Night Fury was going to keep me from protecting my son.

Whether or not the beast was telling the truth, I needed to be able to talk with the other dragon. I needed to find out what he had done to my son.

I looked down to the ring, seeing the cages locked safely away from the people, each of the dragons separated from their peers. I couldn't try and speak with the Night Fury if his brother was right there next to him. I needed to be able to intimidate him, tear him down until I found out exactly what happened to my son.

I will kill every last dragon until I know what happened to him.

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|| Hey! Wake up. ||

I groaned as Toothless began to nudge me with his snout. I wasn't ready to get up; I just wanted to rest for the little time that I probably had. "What's the use? It's not like we're going to be getting out of here any time soon. Why can't you just let me sleep?"

I felt the persistent dragon once again nudging my side, becoming more and more determined. || Because you have been asleep for nearly the entire day and I'm getting tired of having to hold your head up with my paw. ||

I raised my head and looked down at the arm below, somewhat shocked that it wasn't the pillow I thought it was. "There's no way I was asleep for the whole day."

Toothless turned his head and gestured to the doorway that was open to the outside world. I could see that the sun was barely showing itself on the horizon, indicating that it was nearly nighttime. I thought back to when I had fallen asleep; it had been past sunset, the Vikings had already finished their dinners. "But I don't understand, how could I have slept the entire day?"

Toothless shrugged and began to stretch. || I have no idea, but all I know is that is the last time that I offer my paw as your pillow for the night. I don't think I will ever regain the feeling back in my arm. ||

I stared at him, slightly confused. "I still don't understand it though. I don't think I have ever slept for more than about ten or twelve hours. Even then I would still wake up periodically to see what time of day it was."

Toothless gave me an unimpressed stare. || Well whatever the reason is, you should be plenty rested up for the next several cycles. ||

I looked away from the dragon, still not satisfied with an answer, but I felt that I could figure that out later. "So what happed with all the Vikings today?"

Toothless looked out among the crowd who were now sitting down to eat their nightly meals. || Not much. There were a few younger mortals that came over to the cage. I gave them a terrifying growl and laughed as they each jumped about ten paces backward."

I smiled at the Night Fury. It was about time they got a little bit back of what they'd dished out. "Well I certainly wish I could've seen that."

He seemed smug as he leaned back against the heavy bars that lined the cage. He scanned the group of Vikings and paused when he came across Gobber and Dad. The dragon sighed as he turned away from them and back towards me. || I met your father. ||

I jerked my head back up and gave him my attention. "You what!?"

The dragon sighed and looked down at his feet. || He… || The dragon paused for a moment, contemplating whether or not to tell me. || He came by late last night when everyone was gone. He started asking me questions. ||

I stared back at him perplexed - it wasn't like my father to go and speak to a dragon. "Are you sure that it was my father?"

He simply nodded, gesturing over to my dad with his tail. || It was him. He pulled the same scent that you do; he even has a few of the same features that you did as your human self. ||

I chuckled slightly at the notion. I couldn't think of anything visually that could potentially tie the two of us together. I just didn't feel like trying to explain it to a dragon. "I'll take your word on that one, but exactly what kind of questions did he start asking you?"

Toothless seemed to still himself. I had never seen the dragon in this position. It was like he was actually nervous about something. The Night Fury had always seemed to be so sure of himself. "Come on now, spit it out."

The dragon was giving me an unimpressed stare as he whipped me on the back of the head with his tail. || How am I supposed to spit anything out with this muzzle on? ||

I rolled my eyes and gestured to my father. "It was just an expression… now, what was it that my father asked you?"

The Night Fury shifted slightly, still unsure with himself. || He asked why we were here, why were we raiding the village... he asked what we did with his son. ||

What did we do with his son? I couldn't exactly come up with an answer for that one. I wouldn't be able to tell him what happened to me even if we could speak the same language. "How did he expect you to answer in the first place?"

|| That's what I was thinking! I honestly don't know what it is with you mortals and thinking that every being in the world should be able to listen to you and respond accordingly. ||

I sat quietly for a moment, thinking about how he would react if he knew that I was his son. He'd probably just kill me anyway thinking that I was some possessed creature that was simply trapped in a dragon's body. "So how did you answer him?"

He paused once more, the nervous feeling coming back to him. || I pointed to you, implying that you were his son. ||

I gave him a questionable stare, thinking that he would never get the message across. "And what did he say?"

He turned and looked over to my father once more. || He seemed to understand what I was trying to say. He seemed shocked that you could actually be his son... he was a little shaken up by it, but after a few minutes of thinking over, he simply got up and left the building. With the way he spoke, he seemed to accept it, but now he actually doesn't seem like the same person as he did last night. Now he just looks like he's upset and wants to take his anger out on something, or someone... do you think he believed me? ||

I was just about to respond as Dad got up from his seat and walked up to the front of our cage, clenching his axe tight within his grip. He looked as if he didn't get a minute of sleep the night before. The dark bags under his eyes gave his stare an even more menacing look than he normally had when he was angry. His voice was low and full of anger and disgust. "Bring them to the ring."

I looked back over to Toothless, fearing for what was to come next. "No, I don't think he believed you."

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AN: Well, I'm not expecting much from this. I know that I'm probably on most of your number 1 hate lists right now, so I can't expect much as far as a welcome back. But once again, please review. Let me know whether or not you have enjoyed this story up until this point. I will say that it has been a joy writing it.

I want to say a BIG thank you to Absi B, Modest Dragon, and OnyxDragonX. Each of them helped generously throughout this chapter.

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